Interactive Artwork Will Turn Your Shadow Into An Animation

The Creators Project Team — Jun 18 2013

It's not often your shadow gets to be a part of an interactive artwork, but Jason Bruges Studios' new piece Back To Front is about to remedy that situation. His new piece—due to appear in a public park for new development 300 Front Street West in Toronto in 2014—will involve monolithic structures made from granite which are able to detect changing levels of light.

As shadows from passing members of the public and the trees are cast upon the monoliths they'll sense them and turn them into an animation which can be viewed on the opposing side.

"Images are revealed by controlling an array of LED lights, which are diffused by glass lenses embedded within the stone. The aim is to create an enjoyable and dynamic experience for pedestrians, which reflects the changing weather fronts" goes the press release.

"The installation will be able to detect static shadows from buildings, light and shade resulting from different times of day and seasonal changes, as well as dynamic movement from surrounding people and trees." it continues "Jason Bruges Studio took inspiration from the characteristic lake effect ‘weather fronts’ experienced in Toronto; weather boundaries that separate two masses of air of different densities, that dramatically affect the city’s climate all year round."

The studio previously created Nature Trail, an interactive wall in the corridor of a children's hospital, designed to ease children's journeys to the anaesthetic room as LED animals come to life on the walls which they can touch and engage with.